Horse (left brain) and Rider (right brain)

June 30, 2010

I woke up this morning with thoughts running through my head…so much to do, and the list is growing longer. Then I remembered that this is my left brain trying to cope, to control, and to “be in charge.”  This is what you want to watch out for. 

Whenever the mind is engaging in an “internal dialogue” that is not connected to a specific decision or action (in this case it was one thing after another…a rambling list with no clear direction or focus), then this is what can be called an “ego-based conversation.”

When you notice this kind of conversation (ie: “usually fueled by I should, I need to, I can’t, I’m afraid to, how can I do all of this”, etc), then remember that this is the left brain trying to “lead the horse.”  What we want is the right brain (higher mind) to be the rider, and the left brain is the horse.  In other words, the right brain sources and directs the left brain.  Direction or insight from right brain can be considered a “soul-based” conversation.

What to do?  Simply practice becoming aware of the left brain conversation in your mind.  Then intend to shift your awareness to the observer, the quiet, still place that is beyond that list, beyond that voice.  It is connected to a larger picture – it feels expansive, connected and at peace.  It’s always there, you simply need to intend to focus on it, even if you don’t know how yet. 

Practicing this will “build your muscle” for becoming a master of shifting platforms from the left brain to the right brain, and back again for taking specific, directed action.

Check back – I’ll be going into this in more detail in upcoming posts.

Action: Today, practice being aware of your left brain inner conversation (ego based) and right brain inner conversation (soul based).  Just notice and play with it.  The more you practice, the easier it will become to make the shift moment to moment – even in demanding situations. 

Starting to play with the shift

I made the following notes in my journal in the first week of the experiment:

May 27:

I  was having a really intense sinus reaction to something - a cold? allergies?  My left brain wanted to name the problem, to figure out what it was, why it was there, and how I can make it go away.  Wanting answers!  Wanting relief! (as we all do with any physical discomfort).

So, one of my wise colleagues (Rachel Neumann), encouraged me to "NOT name it."  To be in the unknown (switch my focus from the left brain to the right brain).  

The right brain is the home of the unknown.  To live there can feel awkward and uncomfortable at first.  So, I sat for a few minutes and just noticed my breath, and imagined myself "releasing" all explanations and thoughts about my symptoms.  I simply noticed them from a quiet, observing place (the right brain).

I stayed in a place of "open receptivity" (also the home of the right brain) by simply observing instead of identifying with the symptoms.  My symptoms almost immediately dispersed, and were completely gone within 24 hours.

Try it for yourself!

Introducing the Right and Left Brain

As a start, I thought it would be good to introduce the overall functions of the right and left brain from a "consciousness" perspective (derived from the Living a Miraculous Life class I am taking).  Below is a list that is a starting point.  I will add to it as we go. This experiment will track my attempt to shift platforms from using my left brain as dominant, to using my right brain as dominant.  Why do this?  Take a look at the list below, and see what you think.  I'll let you know how it's going in my next entry!

Empowering use of the Left Brain:

• Untangling confusion
• Problem solving
• Using discernment or judging to make a choice or a decision

Limiting use of the Left Brain:

• Judging turns to judgment
• Creating an opinion just for the sake of having an opinion (ie: self-talk of "I like this, I don't like that, it's not as good as before, I can't do that because...")
• Perception based on what we know already: the past equals the future

Accessing The Right Brain: (could be considered "higher mind")

• Allows for what it doesn't know yet (so it can feel uncomfortable)
• Opens the gateway between the soul and the personality
• Allows you to maximize your effect on your life by aligning the Right Brain, Left Brain, and Action
• Co-creative power Highest Intelligence, expansive, learning, creating toward your destiny (the past does NOT equal the future)

What's so interesting about the right and left brain?

You may be wondering why I chose to focus on an experiment like this.  Why the right and left brain, and what does that have to do with being a conscious leader?  I will be answering this question in small "bites" as we go on this journey together.  

My intention is to keep these blog posts brief so that you can read them "at a glance" and yet gain meaningful, relevent information that you can apply to your work and your life.  Or, at the very least, that you find something intriguing enough to want to check back on the experiment. 

I started this specifc experiment on May 26, 2010 (about 2 weeks ago) because I was inspired by some infomation that I came across in a class that I am taking on "Living a Miraculous Life."  Those who are tracking the field of "consciousness" seem to agree that we are entering a time of "expansion and evolution."  

Yes, on the one hand it looks like everything is breaking down.  The other side of that coin, however, is that new possibilities for creating from our "higher mind" (the right brain) are increasingly accessible to us in these times.  What's so cool about that?  We'll be exploring that together as we go.

As I attempt to integrate my "higher mind" (right brain) amidst chaos and activity of daily life demands (left brain), I will share with you tips, pitfalls, successes and questions along the way.  I believe integrating the right and left brain is a doorway to transforming these turbulent times into a world we dream of - from the inside out.

Thanks for going on the ride with me!